Comme des Garçons, or CDG, is a Japanese fashion label based in Paris that has made a name for itself in the fashion industry. Founded by Rei Kawakubo in Tokyo in 1969, the brand has grown and expanded to become one of the most recognizable and successful fashion labels in the world. The brand’s name, Comme des Garçons, translates to “”like boys”” in French, and it was inspired by a line in Françoise Hardy’s 1962song “”Tous les garçons et les filles.”” This name perfectly encapsulates the avant-garde and boundary-pushing designs that the brand is known for.

CDG established its main collection during Paris Fashion Week and Paris Men’s Fashion Week and has since expanded to include jewellery and perfume. The company generated a revenue “”of over $280 million a year”” in 2017, which is a testament to the brand’s success and popularity. The flagship store of CDG is located in Paris and the brand has a worldwide store chain in major cities such as London, Melbourne, Hong Kong, New York City and in the Ginza district of Tokyo. This global presence of the brand makes it easily accessible to fashion enthusiasts all over the world.

Throughout the years, CDG has been known for its unique and avant-garde style, which has been both celebrated and criticized. The brand’s early collections were heavily associated with a distressed and punk-oriented style, and in 1982, Kawakubo’s collection “”Destroy”” was heavily criticized. Women’s Wear Daily called it the “”Hiroshima bag lady look,”” and the Associated Press proclaimed Kawakubo the “”high priestess of the Jap wrap.”” But despite the negative feedback, CDG continued to push the boundaries of fashion and create unusual styles that were not always liked by experts.

In 2004, the company split its business into handmade garments produced in France, and non-handmade garments in Japan, Spain, and Turkey. The product line Play, the most recognizable and mainstream Comme des Garçons casual luxury line, is largely produced in Japan, Spain, and Turkey, while some of its products are also made in France. This split allows the brand to cater to different audiences and provide a wider range of options for its customers.

Art Icon Jean-Michel Basquiat modelling for Comme Des Garcons in the 80s

How to tell if Comme des Garçons is vintage from the logo

Comme des Garçons is a fashion label that seamlessly blends art and culture into its collections. Designed in the brand’s studio located in the trendy Aoyama neighbourhood of Tokyo, the garments are crafted with precision and care in Japan, France, Spain, and Turkey. Over the years, the label has consistently pushed the boundaries of fashion by delving into collaborations with artists, choreographers, and cultural projects on a global scale.

One such example is the 1997 spring-summer collection, also known as the “”lumps and bumps collection,”” which featured garments adorned with fabric in bulk and balls. This collection led to a collaboration between CDG’s founder, Rei Kawakubo, and renowned choreographer Merce Cunningham, resulting in the visually stunning performance piece “”Scenario.”” Another notable collection is the 2006 autumn/winter line, which explored the concept of the “”persona”” and the various ways we present ourselves to the world. The collection seamlessly fused tailored menswear with feminine elements such as corsets and flower-printed dress fabrics, creating a harmonious blend of the masculine and feminine.

CDG’s influence extends beyond the fashion world, as it has been worn and referenced by notable figures in music, such as Björk in her music video for “”Isobel”” and Frank Ocean, who even named a song after the brand. The label has also been the subject of admiration from filmmaker John Waters, who devoted a chapter in his book “”Role Models”” to the brand and its founder. The brand also collaborated with musician Jonna Lee in the creation of her audiovisual album “”Everyone Afraid to Be Forgotten,”” where CDG designed the costumes for the film. Comme des Garçons continues to be a fashion force that defies expectations and pushes the boundaries of creativity.

1978 to now

• Once the brand cemented its image, the logo of Comme des Garçons remained fairly constant
• It is a text logo that is fully capitalised with slightly bigger letters are the start of Comme and Garçons
• The heart part of the logo is Comme Des Garçons PLAY which was introduced in 2002

Comme des Garcons logo

How to tell if Comme des Garçons is vintage from the neck tags

Comme des Garçons, known for its avant-garde designs and bold, unconventional silhouettes, has established a reputation for pushing the boundaries of fashion. The brand, led by founder and head designer Rei Kawakubo, is credited with pioneering conceptual fashion and is recognized for its use of deconstructed fabrics, asymmetrical cuts, and monochrome colourways in its collections. The brand is known for its anti-fashion and gender-fluid aesthetics.

Comme des Garçons has a strong reputation for collaborations, working with a diverse range of brands such as Fred Perry, Levi’s, Moncler, Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, and streetwear pioneers Supreme and BAPE. In the footwear industry, the brand is one of the most collaborated luxury labels, partnering with top sneaker brands such as Converse, Nike, Salomon, ASICS, and Vans.

Before looking at the tags, one clue that your Comme des Garçons might be modern is that items from the last twenty years often include polyester wash tags at the waist which include a lot of information, sometimes in multiple languages.

Having difficulty with your vintage tags? Upload a picture on our vintage tag identification page, and we’ll assist you!

1980s vintage Comme des Garcons tags

• Comme des Garçons became a popular line in the 1980s, and quickly was expanded into a women’s line too
• The tags are wide rectangles with just the logo on them
• They may include the line too but no sizing information is included

1980s Comme des Garcons tags

1990s vintage Comme des Garcons tags

• A lot of the 1990s tags were very similar to the 1980s ones
• This example shows the logo twice
• It is a simple white tag

1990s Comme des Garcons tags

2000s vintage Comme des Garcons tags

• 2000s Comme des Garçons tags began referencing key designers and figures from the brand’s history
• Many of the tags became longer and thinner
• The logo would fill most of the space
• They also had some sizing information on them

2000s Comme des Garcons tags

2010s vintage Comme des Garcons tags

• Lines such as the PLAY line have become even more popular in the 2010s, and are usually a sign of a modern piece
• They also started to have sizing tabs included more consistently
• They are large white rectangles

2010s Comme des Garcons tags

Vintage Comme des Garcons tags through the years